New England-based competitive service provider CTC Communications announced today that it has acquired Connecticut Broadband, a voice and data service provider in that Connecticut.

The move is part of the expected consolidation within the competitive carrier arena and is CTC’s second acquisition within the last six months. In May, the company acquired Lightship Telecom. The expansion is intended to give CTC the scale it needs to compete with the larger incumbents.

CTC is now position to battle for business customers with SBC Communications, the local incumbent in Connecticut. CTC, based in Waltham, Mass., already competes with Verizon throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic states as far south as Maryland. The move also enables CTC to use Connecticut Broadband’s data facilities to support its expanding Voice over IP business.

"We welcome the customers and employees of Connecticut Broadband to CTC," said Ray Allieri, president and chief executive officer at CTC Communications. "This transaction reaffirms CTC's commitment to providing businesses across the Northeast with enhanced telecommunication services. This expansion of our secure network enables us to offer integrated voice, data and Internet bundles to businesses at very competitive prices."

The deal must be approved by state regulators. Financial terms were not immediately available.